Physical activity

Moving our bodies—whether it be for work, transportation, or leisure—can reduce the risk of disease while boosting our mental health.

A man with an amputated leg plays basketball while using a wheelchair.
Two Sikh youth ride their bicycles through a park.

Time spent being physically active

To reduce the risk of chronic disease and mental health conditions, adults should be moderately to vigorously active for at least 150 minutes each week. For children and youth, 60 minutes each day is recommended. [1] Activities like brisk walking, dancing, swimming, gardening, and playing sports increase our heart rates and get our whole bodies moving. 

Only about half of adults in our community get the recommended amount of physical activity—and that proportion is decreasing
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Only about half of adults in our community get the recommended amount of physical activity—and that proportion is decreasing

Low levels of physical activity can increase our risk of chronic diseases (such as heart disease and diabetes) and depression. Among older adults, it also impacts balance, strength, and co-ordination—increasing the risk of falls and limiting independence. [2] 

An area graph shows the percentage of people age 18 years and older in Guelph, Wellington County, and Dufferin County who met physical activity recommendations from 2015 and 2016 to 2020. For a full description of the graph, refer to the “Read graph as text” section.
Only about half of people age 18 years and older in Guelph, Wellington County, and Dufferin County get the recommended 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each week—and the proportion is decreasing. An area graph shows the percentage of people age 18 years and older in Guelph, Wellington County, and Dufferin County who got the recommended 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each week from 2015 and 2016 to 2020. The x-axis shows the year, and the y-axis shows the percentage of people who met the recommendations. The percentage decreases from 62% in 2015 and 2016 to 54% in 2020. Source: Public Health Ontario
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References

  1. Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology. (n.d.). Canadian 24-hour movement guidelines: An integration of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep. 
  2. Park, J. H., Moon, J. H., Kim, H. J., Kong, M. H., & Oh, Y. H. (2020). Sedentary lifestyle: Overview of updated evidence of potential health risks. Korean Journal of Family Medicine, 41(6), 365–373.
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Data sources

Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (Public Health Ontario). (2023). Physical activity snapshot [Data file]. Retrieved December 10, 2024. 

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